Introducing the Literary Salons

by Chloë Moore ’24

Welcome, welcome, to another sure-to-be great year in the English Department! We are so excited to welcome (back) everyone to Old Main 2. This year promises to be full of fun (see the rest of this issue for more details!), and in keeping with that promise, we at The Words are excited to introduce one of our newest department programs: Literary Salons!

Inspired by faculty’s projects as well as the salons of the Enlightenment era, but without the frilly outfits and French accents, these salons will take place on a Wednesday each month. More specifics about dates and special guests will be announced as we move towards planning the first salon.

Yes, you read that right: guests! Apart from being a fun addition to Coffee House, the Literary Salons will also be an opportunity for English majors, minors, and friends to meet, learn from, and chat with both faculty members in a non-class setting and local professionals in the literary arts. The general structure of the salons is that faculty will invite local authors and creatives to come in to host a salon on the topic of their choice. Faculty will also have the opportunity to host their own salons if they so choose. While some of the programming is TBD, it’s sure to be a great series of events!

In terms of show flow, the beginning of the salon will serve as time for folks to congregate in Old Main 4, get set up with snacks and beverages, and have time to hang out with department friends. Salon programming will then run for about an hour afterward. We hope our readers are as excited as we are for this new programming; it promises to be a great way to learn more about the phenomenal local literary scene, and also to learn about your professors’ niche interests outside of whatever class they’re teaching.

Stay tuned for more information about the first date and guest, to be announced soon!